I'm outfitting my engine with all the polished & chrome goodies I can find. I've decided NOT to replace the black timing cover with a chomre one simply due to the oil that may occur (risk vs. reward). Now, I have the option of buying a new iron (silver-ish) balancer or painting it the same chrome-aluminum color I am going to paint my cover. My question: is it ok to paint the balancer or might this cause am imbalance situation?

 

i don't think a coat of paint would cause any problem even with the most perfectley balanced engine . IMHO .

 

You can paint it, but i'd recommend a new one. They do wear out eventually. Summit has a nice one with 60* of timing marks on it (REALLY HANDY!) FOR $61. Hard to pass up.

 

I didn't either, but I'm not into creating problems where there need be none. Better safe than sorry.

Also, this one's only 3 years old.